Different Authors... Different Stories... (GROUP 9)

The Kiram Building

 Christian Cabagnot and Karlo Antonio David

Writer: Loeisse Marielle Mosquete (Leader)

As Filipinos, how do we give value to a certain culture that is already part of our history? Do we still, preserve the culture and heritage over the past years and until then it was suddenly changed?

This story talks about the ancestral mansion, locally known as the Kiram Building, which is located in Kidapawan City. It was designed and built by Sultan Omar Kiram II who is also the owner. It has been built in the year 1962, it has really stood the test of time. This story wants to tell the Filipinos especially the Mindanaoans that this is not only just a simple mansion because behind it, but there is also a hidden story that we, Filipinos should know and hear about this.

To summarize the story, in the 1950s, Omar and his family moved to Kidapawan and bought a 2.3-hectare land from Emilio Guinoo, a local land magnate and movie theaters pioneer. In the year 1962, this is the time that they decided to designed and built the Sultan Kiram Mansion on the land Omar bought. During their stay in Kidapawan, Omar became a member of the YMCA and the Rotary Club of Kidapawan Chapter, a Mason of Kidapawan Lodge 170, District 46, Knights of Rizal in Kidapawan, and adviser to the Barrio Captains and Leaders Association in Kidapawan. And also, he managed a logging and lumber business. The Ancestral Mansion which is known as Kiram Building, one of the few connections of Kidapawan to its Mindanaoan roots, sadly today it cannot no longer be seen as the Kiram Building because it was changed to build a franchised hardware. The majestic central porch and the south wing of the building were destroyed, leaving the north wing of the Kidapawan’s Maranao adherence as the lone-testament of our city.

In my own analysis, this kind of history is very essential when it comes to literature. It doesn’t just talk about what and where is the origin of this building, rather, it also tells about that this kind of historical place should be taken care of and preserve because it is part of the culture especially for the Mindanaoans. The authors really think and choose wisely the story that they will feature and publish. It implies that history in the form of literature lets us see not only of events enclosed in specific timelines, rather, we see as the people of the times see. I, as a Mindanaoan, feel the emotions of the creation as I read the story. In addition, the characters play an important role from the beginning until the end but it is very sad because the building was already destroyed.

In conclusion, the Mindanaoans, deeply care about the culture and heritage because we believe one should always take part, be aware and preserve one’s culture. It helps us shape our identity, our heritage becomes part of what we are. Our expression of this identity shows others what we value; it highlights our values and priorities. Our heritage provides clues to our past and how our society has evolved. It helps us examine our history and tradition and enables us to develop an awareness about ourselves. Maybe if that Mansion was preserved and the government turned it into a museum, it could have helped the city tourism big time.

Childhood in The Path of Typhoons

Cecilia M. Brainard

Writer: Kylah Erica Senedo

This story talks about how Typhoon Haiyan ruined the lives of Filipinos in Cebu City. The author of this story is Cecilia M. Bernard, she is a Cebuana born and youngest in the Manguerra family. She has authored and edited nineteen books. She is one of the founding members of PAWWA or Philippine American Women Writers and Artists. Her famous works include When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Magdalena and Woman with Horns and Other Stories. The theme presented in the story is the examination of human experiences that show the struggles and defeats in life but at the same time how people faced and triumphed over those adversities.

Childhood in the Path of Typhoon, this story is about how Filipinos are used to typhoons and how they keep themselves safe when there is a typhoon coming. Even though Filipinos knew that Haiyan was the strongest typhoon in record history, they didn't have a collective memory of something this powerful. No one expected the great destruction and its 15-20 foot tsunami-like surge. In this story, there were so many questions like why were Filipinos caught off guard? Why didn't the government plan better for Haiyan and why so many people died? Many people died in the evacuation centers or gymnasiums or churches where they sought refuge from drowning and from the building collapsing. Those Filipinos who encountered the Typhoon Haiyan, this Typhoon will never be forgotten.

My observation in this story is that even though Filipinos knew that there is a typhoon coming they were caught off guard neither the government has a better plan for it, where did the budget of the government goes? Where's the awareness and preparedness? This story was really sad, it talks about the damage that was caused by the Typhoon Haiyan. The positive side of the story is when the Filipinos rise up again and able to be strong after the typhoon ruined their lives.

In conclusion, this story has a lot of lessons we should learn and apply them in real life. We, Filipinos should be aware and be prepared for upcoming typhoons here in the Philippines. Also, even though we encounter hardships in life we need to be resilient.

In the Bed of Roots

Justin U. Camacho

Writer: Dominic Abatayo

This short story shows the tradition and beliefs of a Filipino that is still practiced nowadays. Furthermore, it reflects what it believes not just in giving emotions but it is the reflection on how it shows the love for the family and a symbol for being a Filipino. I wanted to share with you what I have been doing on how we are going to get the important details of our story. this story deals with the gravedigger talking to a persona about the story behind the grave of a young girl underneath the langka tree which is said that the body of a young girl as hugged by the roots of the said tree that’s why the fruit is so tasty.

        A summary explains the attitude of the Filipino’s on how they try to express their culture through the use of superstitious beliefs or what we traditionally called “pamahiin”. This method acknowledges the different options or ways to make evidence that this actual happenings really exists. The story shows us that we should always treasure the people when that person was still with us. We shouldn’t wait for the time to come that they’ll gonna disappear and there’s nothing we can do in order for them to come back with us. We, people, have this attitude that when that person is still with us we will take them for granted.

My own observation about this story is that it is stated in this case that it was widely used to Filipino's to believe in such an unbelievable situation that some can be proven and be explained by science and other situation can’t be proven or explain. All in all the situation is revolving of things that can be explained and cannot be explained. But we keep on focusing on the exact detail like the idea of Filipino’s loves its culture. The persona in the story bought the said fruit in order for her to eat that one and she thought of her mother. He mentioned also that the langka she’s eating is sweet as her mother.

Therefore I conclude that the story I use to analyze is according to the traditions that Filipinos have a lot of their own sort of things to settle on. I recommend this story because I can learn something. I also observed that the author made a good choice of choice. We should understand what the real meaning of the story is.

Fatima,  the War Nurse       

Nassefh Macla

Writer: Vincent Baylosis

Beliefs are being transferred from generation to generation and they become tradition, every family has their traditions and passes them onto their family, the future generation in hope of keeping the tradition alive.  

      At the outbreak of the World War, American women from all walks of life join a volunteer nursing outfit in France. Some volunteer out of a sense of duty while others travel to France because that's where all the men are. 

The story was more about narrating and describing. This short story shows the beliefs and traditions of a Filipino that is still wed and practiced generation by generation.

As far as I anther stands to the story the importance of praying particulars of world conflict has changed since 1917, we continue to live in a world full of anger violence and war.